WASHINGTON, July 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., is forging a difficult path to re-election, The New York Times says.
All over Connecticut, signs, buttons and even a parade float ridicule the scene at last year's State of the Union address in which President Bush allegedly planted a kiss on Lieberman's cheek. Many of Lieberman's liberal critics reportedly saw this moment as a very unsettling alliance in support of the war in Iraq.
"It's a 'Godfather' kiss -- one of those kisses that says, 'I own you,'" said Edward Anderson, a supporter of Lieberman's Democratic primary opponent, Ned Lamont.
Lieberman, who has spent 18 years in the Senate, was the Democratic nominee for vice president in 2000. Now Lieberman appears to be fighting to save his career as anti-war activists from his own party threaten to dislodge him, the Times said.
In Connecticut, where primary elections take place on Aug. 8, Lieberman is addressing thin crowds and friends have described his recent demeanor as nervous, dispirited and angry, the newspaper said.
Lieberman has taken steps to run as an independent if he loses the Democratic primary, but says no matter what he will continue to caucus with Senate Democrats.